Gas keeper



Feb.- 3, 1938. J, M, G, DARMS 2,107,600

GAS KEEPER Filed Aug. 1'7, 1936 Patented Feb. 8, 1938 0 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a gas keeper and is more especially an improvement upon the structure disclosed in Patent 1,922,930, issued to me on August 15, 1933.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and eilicient structure which can be readily inserted into the gas tank or the filling tube leading thereto, novel means being employed whereby the gas keeper can be locked in position so that it cannot thereafter be removed without destruction.

A further object is to provide a. gas keeper which acts as an efficient means for preventing unauthorized withdrawal of the contents of the tank.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having means for preventing the admission of impurities to the tank, said means being easily removable for the purpose of cleaning.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a section through the gas keeper in position within the filling tube of a gas tank, the ordinary cap being shown in position for closing the same.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the gas keeper, the same being shown locked in the filling tube.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the structure shown in Figure 2. v

Figure 4 is a section on line 4- 3, Figure 1.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference I designates the usual filling tube leading to a gas tank on an automobile or the like although it is to be understood that, in some instances, there will be no filling tube and, instead, the gas keeper will be inserted directly into the tank. In either case there is provided an opening 2 surrounded by an annular flange 3 which is turned inwardly and downwardly and is cut away at diametrically opposed points to provide notches 4. The bottom edge of this flange can be inclined to form cams 5 for engagement by the unsupported ends t of a cross strip 1. This cross strip is secured at its center to the bottom of a cap 3. Thus when it is desired to fasten the cap in closed position, the ends of the strip 2 are in scrted downwardly through the notches 4 and by then giving the cap a partial rotation in one direction, the ends 6 of this strip will ride along the cam edges 5 and draw the cap down tightly onto a gasket 9. The structure thus far described is not new but can be found in some forms of gasoline tanks already in use on motor vehicles.

The present invention constitutes a gas keeper which is to be used in connection with the described structure. This gas keeper includes a cylindrical body In one end of which is provided with a cap i I spun thereon and having a plurality of small apertures I2. Longitudinal slots I3 are formed in the tubular body I0.

Extending upwardly from the top or open end of the tubular body are oppositely offset arms I4 the outer ends of which are extended along substantially parallel lines and merge into a bearing ring I5 provided with diametrically opposed notches I6 extending over the respective notches 4. A packing gasket I 'I is interposed between ring I 5 and flange 3.

Formed on or secured to the body I0 at diametrically opposed points are looking tongues I8 the free ends of which are curved toward each other and normally positioned over the end of the body ID as shown by broken lines in Figure 2.

Normally these ends, I9, will not interfere with the insertion of the body ID downwardly through the opening 2 'and into the tube I. When the body is thus inserted the ring I5 will bear on the gasket I'I while the notches I6 will be positioned above the notches 4. Any suitable device, such as a screw driver or the like, can then be used for pressing laterally against the inturned ends I9 of the tongues I8 and as these tongues are formed of metal or other material which is not resilient, the lateral pressure thereon will cause the tongues to bend and snap the ends I9 under and in engagement with the flanges 3. When in these positions, and as shown by full lines in Figure 2, the tongues serve to lock the gas keeper within the tube I so that it becomes impossible to remove it without distorting or otherwise injuring the parts.

A removable cup-like screen 20 can be fitted snugly in the body I0 and is easily insertible thereinto or removable therefrom after said body has been secured in place. This screen serves to trap any solids which may be mixed with the gasoline being directed through the gas keeper and into the tank. Should it become clogged, the screen could readily be withdrawn and cleaned after which it could be reinserted.

To seal the structure the cap 8 is applied in the usual Way and the resilient ends 6 of the strip 1 will be inserted downwardly through the matching notches l6 and 4. By pressing on the cap the gasket 9 will be placed under compression and by then giving the cap a partial rotation in one direction, the ends 6 which are preferably curved transversely as shown in Figure 1, will ride along the cam edges 5 and draw the cap down tightly so that it will bind on the gasket 9 and thus seal the closure.

Importance is attached to the fact that the use of this gas keeper does not require any change in the construction of the cap or of the means employed for holding the cap in closed position. Further importance is attached to the fact that after the gas keeper has once been inserted in position and secured by bending the tongues i3 outwardly, it cannot thereafter be removed and, therefore, a tube or the like cannot be inserted into the gasoline for the purpose of removing it by suction.

The entire device is very simple, durable and compact and can be sold at low cost.

What is claimed is:

The combination with the filling tube of a container, said tube having an inwardly and downwardly turned flange at its open end provided with diametrically opposed notches, of a gas keeper including a tubular body having an apertured end and an open end and having slots in its wall, inert tongues extending from opposed portions of the body and having inturned free ends, said tongues being bendable into position for engagement with the inturned flange on the filling tube, arms extending upwardly from the open end of the tubular body and offset laterally between their ends, said arms being insertible into the notches in the flange, a ring joined to the upper end of the arms and adapted to rest upon said flange, said ring having notches registering with the notches in the flange, the arms being oifset laterally to hold the tubular body spaced inwardly from the filling tube to provide an annular space for the flow of fluid from the slots in the tubular body, a gasket interposed between said ring and the flange, a cap movable to position on the ring for closing the filling tube, and means carried by the cap for downward insertion through the notches and for cooperation with the inner edge of the flange to bind,the cap upon the ring and to clamp the gasket between the ring and the flange when the cap is turned relative to the flange.

JOHN M. G. DARMS. 

